A Union City fire devastated two adjoining residences, collapsing one building and displacing 23 people, according to today's Jersey Journal.

The four-alarm blaze that started about 2:30 p.m. in the basement of 3807 Park Ave, North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue Co-Director Jeff Welz said.

Firefighters were able to contain the blaze within four hours, but continued to battle flames that were fed by a ruptured gas line after 3809 Park collapsed around 6 p.m.

Firefighters initially considered it a two-alarm blaze, but officials requested more assistance as it spread from the basement of the two-story 3807 Park to 3809 Park Ave. next door, officials said. The Jersey City, Bayonne, Hoboken and Harrison fire departments assisted at the scene.

The blaze raged for hours with strong winds making it worse, Welz said.

When the fire spread to 3809 Park Ave., flames quickly became visible from the street and engulfed the three-story building.

Lizaida Ortega, 31, who lives at 3809 Park with her husband Gustavo, was in her bed on the first floor recovering from the flu when she smelled smoke and alerted her mother, who lives upstairs.

"Everything was lost, from personal belongings to sentimental valuables," she said.

Four of the 75 responding firefighters suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital, according to reports.